When I volunteered to chaperone my daughter’s 8th-grade trip to Washington, D.C., I had visions of meaningful moments – quiet reflection at the Lincoln Memorial, thoughtful conversations about the Constitution, maybe even a shared laugh over a Thomas Jefferson quote.
Instead, I got a 4 a.m. wake-up call, a layover in St. Louis, and 72 hours of asking, “Whose water bottle is this?” on a continuous loop.
Let me set the scene. It’s pitch black outside as I stumble through the kitchen trying not to wake the dog. Half a cup of lukewarm coffee later, I realize my daughter packed 14 hair accessories but no toothbrush. At the airport, the security line resembles a middle school flash mob, and I’m quickly promoted to the role of unofficial luggage mule, carrying two bags, a hoodie, and an unwrapped muffin handed to me by a child I didn’t recognize.
The monuments are inspiring. The museums are incredible. And the students? They are full of energy, curiosity – and approximately 400 questions. Some highlights overheard on the National Mall:
• “Is this where they filmed ‘National Treasure’?”
• “Wait, Lincoln was the third president, right?”
• “Can we get boba here?”
But somewhere between headcounts, snack stops, and museum shuffleboard, I watched my daughter stand quietly at Gettysburg, reading the names, reflecting on the sacrifice. She turned to a classmate and shared what she had learned. It was a powerful reminder of why we do this – as parents, as educators, as a community.
Of course, let’s talk numbers. Financially, the trip wasn’t exactly a bargain:
• $1,200 for travel and lodging.
• $97 in “souvenirs” (read: keychains, hoodies, and an oversized snow globe).
• $37 in airport snacks, despite the lunchbox we packed “together.”
• $19.50 on a smoothie that tasted like regret.
• Several PTO days and the possible loss of a quarterly bonus.
And yes, it was a dry trip. That’s right. No evening glass of wine. No celebratory toast. Just you, a clipboard, and 27 sugar-fueled middle schoolers. You’re on the wagon whether you meant to be or not.
There was one unexpected highlight, though. One of the other dads came fully prepared with a set of actual walkie-talkies and earpieces. So yes, we spent a solid portion of the trip communicating like Secret Service agents. “Eagle is on the move. Repeat, Eagle is on the move.” It may have been the peak of my parenting career.
But here’s what we really gained – returns that don’t show up on a receipt:
• A front-row seat to students experiencing history firsthand; not just memorizing facts, but connecting them to their own lives.
• A chance to share a meaningful journey with my daughter at an age when these moments are increasingly rare.
• A renewed appreciation for civics and for the tireless educators who make this trip happen year after year.
Yes, I was exhausted. Yes, I questioned my life choices while yelling, “Let’s keep walking!” in front of the National Archives. But would I do it again?
Absolutely. Just give me a year to recover.
Because in today’s world, where attention spans are short and social media scrolls fast, our kids had the chance to slow down, stand in the places where history was made, and see themselves as part of something bigger. That’s the kind of ROI no spreadsheet can measure.
As our bus pulled into the parking lot at midnight, after tired feet, and dozens of bathroom stops, my daughter looked at me with messy hair and a sleepy smile. “Thanks for coming, Dad,” she said.
And just like that, every moment was worth it.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I need a nap. A long one. Possibly at the Library of Congress.
Evan R. Guido is the founder of Aksala Wealth Advisors LLC, a 2018 Forbes Next-Gen Advisors List Member, and Financial Professional at Avantax Investment ServicesSM. Evan heads a team of retirement transition strategists for clients who consider themselves the “Millionaire Next Door.” He can be reached at 941-500-5122 or eguido@aksalawealth.com. Read more of his insights at heraldtribune.com/business. Securities offered through Avantax Investment ServicesSM, member FINRA, SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Avantax Advisory ServicesSM, insurance services offered through an Avantax-affiliated insurance agency. 6260 Lake Osprey Drive, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34240.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Observations by a frazzled financial adviser after a trip to the Capitol | Retire on Track
Reporting by Evan Guido / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
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